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A 45-year-old Fairfield County woman has been charged with fraud at a nonprofit organization serving underprivileged youths in Manhattan.

Michelle Foley of Wilton is charged with bank, wire, and access device fraud in connection with her theft of funds from the organization.

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the Tuesday, April 24 the arrest of Foley, a former finance director of a nonprofit organization that provides arts and mentoring programs to underserved youth. Foley appeared in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron.

“Michelle Foley allegedly used her position at a nonprofit to steal funds intended for disadvantaged youth," Berman said. "Rather than directing the organization’s funds to those in need, Foley allegedly used over $150,000 for her own selfish gain, including a trip to Disney World and a puppy. Today Michelle Foley is charged with serious federal crimes for her alleged conduct.”

The nonprofit organization provides arts and mentoring programs to low-income, homeless, and neglected children. From at least in or about July 2017 up to and including in or about February 2018, Foley reportedly abused her position as the organization’s director of finance and operations by stealing more than $150,000 from the organization.

Foley issued unauthorized checks on behalf of the organization to herself, totaling more than $56,000, according to her indictment, and obtained two corporate credit cards, which were linked to the organization’s bank account and which she used to make personal, unauthorized purchases. During the course of her employment, Foley charged more than $100,000 to these credit cards, including by making payments for a puppy, home furnishings and appliances, and expenses associated with a trip to Disney World.

Foley was charged with one count of bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.